The winner of the second annual Guylian Seahorses of the World photo competition has been chosen: it’s German photographer Bettina Balnis, with a magnificent picture of two embracing seahorses!

The award, sponsored by Project Seahorse partner Guylian Belgian Chocolate, was one of the top prizes handed out to talented photographers and videographers from around the world at the Nelos Underwater Photo and Video Festival in Antwerp, Belgium on Nov. 27.

Mrs. Balnis’s photo, shot in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia, shows male and female Thorny seahorses, their tails entwined. The jury, which included two members of the Project Seahorse team, concluded that there was “something luminous, almost painterly about the image. It really captures the magical beauty of seahorses. The apparent symmetry is all the more special when you realize this is a pair that will be bonded for life.”

The competition is an important event for Project Seahorse. The rights to each of the photo submissions are donated to the organization. We use these beautiful images to raise awareness about marine conservation and issues affecting seahorse species around the world. For her winning entry, Mrs. Balnis received a chocolate gift hamper and a €500 gift voucher for diving gear. All competitors received a gift bag of Guylian chocolate delicacies.